Essendon coach Matthew Knights says his side's performances are challenging the popular perception that they are too attack-focused.

The Bombers downed the Western Bulldogs 15.9 (99) to 14.6 (90) at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

It was their fourth win in five rounds, taking them to a 5-5 record, and their second in a fortnight over one of last year's top four sides, having downed St Kilda in round eight.

Significantly, after conceding more than 100 points four times in the first five rounds - a period when they won just one match - they have done so just once in the past five.

But while criticised early in the season for what was perceived as a game plan built around all-out attack, Knights said nothing had changed in their approach.

He said the difference was mostly one of mindset, along with some increased confidence and polish.

"We haven't changed our program at all since what we've been practising in pre-season," he said.

"I think what's changed is the execution of both sides of the game, as well as the players and the leadership group really embracing how important both sides of the game are.

"It might be a slight shift in mindset more than anything, but our teaching principles and our understanding of how important both sides of the game are hasn't changed in two-and-a-half years.

"We're just getting better at executing it."

Knights said his team relished their status as statistically the AFL's No.1 tackling team this season, which came to the fore against the Dogs, particularly in the decisive third term, when they kicked the first five goals, all from turnovers.

"We're proud that we are No.1 ranked in tackling for a team that people perceive as not that way," the coach said.

"They can keep saying that if they like, as long as we know what we want to achieve."

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade acknowledged the Bombers' defensive work, but said his own side played into their hands with poor kicking.

"Their pressure was good, but we certainly butchered the ball as well ... we turned it over, we got hurt on the rebound," Eade said.

Meanwhile, he said outspoken forward Jason Akermanis could face a club sanction next week over his controversial column published in Melbourne's Herald-Sun last week in which he said gay footballers should stay in the closet.

Akermanis initially blamed the newspaper for making changes to the column, before acknowledging late this week it was his own work, an admission which angered the Bulldogs and could lead to a penalty.

"There's no doubt that some people at the club will meet and have a discussion," Eade said.

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